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Iowa poll: Chris Christie would start third

The Iowa Republican released new data from its caucus poll, this time imagining a universe in which Chris Christie, Rick Perry, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin all run for president:

In the poll’s alternative ballot, Romney leads the field in Iowa with 18 percent, followed by Bachmann at 15 percent, and Chris Christie with 13 percent. Herman Cain and Sarah Palin tie for fourth at 7 percent, ahead of Perry and Pawlenty at 6 percent, Paul at 5 percent, Gingrich 3 percent, Giuliani 2 percent, and Santorum and Huntsman with one percent.

The second ballot shows that Bachmann’s support, while still impressive, is rather soft. When other candidates enter the race, Romney hangs on to 76 percent of his vote, Ron Paul holds on to 80 percent of his support, but Bachmann only hangs on to 44 percent of her support ...

The person who could flip the race on its head is New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. If Christie enters the race, Romney would lose almost nine percent of his support to Christie, but the biggest loser would be Bachmann who sees 22 percent of her support go to the New Jersey Governor. Christie also takes a chunk, 20 percent, from Pawlenty.

The fact that Christie does so much better in this poll than other potential late entrants — Perry, Palin and Giuliani — is a testament to his unique political brand and the exclusive space he occupies in the GOP imagination. Given that it's unlikely that all four of these non-candidates get into the 2012 race, the operative question is whether any one late entrant (most likely Perry) can capture Christie's restive 13 percent.

Why not go by the straw polls or most all the other polls that show Ron as the front runner. Do you think that if the main stream media says he is not the front runner enough, he will not be. It is so sad just report the news without your bias spin.

If you're looking to vote for Chris Christie in 2012, get behind Thad McCotter. The ONLY people in the GOP who can pull off the straight-talking, no-nonsense, witty and acerbic style are Christie and McCotter--and McCotter is actually running for president.

Bachmann is losing steam! I thought for sure with the media behind her and Iowa being a bible thumping state she would be well ahead in Iowa. I guess the more the people learn and hear about this woman the more they are turned off. Especially the military veterans after she proposed to cut their benefits in january!